Claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction

Online benefits calculator and claim form

Making an E- Claim

If you need help with making an online application for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, you can visit us at the Council Offices where we can assist you with making an application online.

Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council now fall under the Full Service Universal Credit scheme.

From 6 December 2017 if your postcode is one of those listed below, and you are working age, you need to claim Universal Credit rather than Housing Benefit. If you do not see your postcode in the list you can still claim Housing Benefit until 24 January 2017 when the remainder of the postcodes in the Watford and Three Rivers area will be transferred into the Full Service Universal Credit scheme (there are exceptions to the rules, please see below and use the link for claiming Universal Credit).

If you are working aged and live in the following post code areas, in most cases you will need to make a claim for Universal Credit instead of Housing Benefit from 6th December 2017.

WD17 1

WD17 2

WD17 3

WD17 4

WD18 0

WD18 1

WD18 6

WD18 7

WD18 8

WD18 9

WD24 4

WD24 5

WD24 6

WD24 7

WD25 7

You will still need to claim Housing Benefit if you live in these post code areas and:-

You are Pensionable age; or

You are living in supported accommodation; or

Have 3 or more children living in your property

If you pay Council Tax and are on a low income or you are receiving Universal Credit, you can still apply for Council Tax Reduction by clicking on the following link https://watford.teamnetsol.com/

To make a claim for Universal Credit please apply using the following link

Council Tax Benefit, now known as Council Tax Reduction, is means tested. This means when we work out how much you may get, we take into account things like your income, savings, pensions and investments.

How do I claim?

If you are on a low income and would like to claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction complete the online Housing Benefits claim form.

You can claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction, if you are on Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or if you are on a low income (this includes people who are self employed).

If you are in receipt of Universal Credit, you are still able to claim Council Tax Reduction.

You cannot claim if you or your partner have more than £16,000 in savings either individually or combined, unless you are in receipt of guaranteed pension credits.

Second adult rebate

You can claim second adult rebate if there are other people living in your home who are on a low income.

You cannot claim second adult rebate if you are married or have a partner, please contact the council for more information - email benefits@watford.gov.uk or call us on 01923 278501.